Extension table with multiple legs

Abstract

An extension table with multiple legs with two table tops sliding back and forth in relation to each other and at least one leaf and at least four supporting members each comprising at least two table legs, including a first table leg and a second table leg. The supporting members support the extension table when the sliding table tops are joined in a first position, and they support the extension table when the sliding table tops are pulled apart in a second position. The first table legs in each supporting member are directly or indirectly connected to the sliding table tops through fasteners which, in one embodiment, comprise sliding means.

The invention claimed is:  
     
       1. An extension table with multiple legs, the extension table comprising:
 at least two slidable table tops configured to slide back and forth in relation to each other; and 
 a plurality of leaves; and 
 at least four supporting members, each comprising a plurality of table legs, including a first table leg and a second table leg, said supporting members supporting the slidable table tops when the slidable table tops are pushed together in a first stationary position and supporting the slidable table tops when the sliding table tops are fully pulled apart in a second stationary position, 
 wherein the first table legs in each one of the supporting members is directly or indirectly connected to one of the slidable table tops by a fastener, the fastener comprising a fastener portion configured to slidably cooperate with a coupler, and when the slidable table tops are in the second stationary position, each one of the first table legs being slidably adjustable relative to the connected corresponding slidable table top from a position A to a second position B differing from position A and at least in an extension direction of the extension table and with the couplers co-operating with the fastener portions of the fasteners in order to secure each one of the first table legs in chosen positions, the adjustment of the first table legs being operable to relieve tension in the slidable table tops. 
 
     
     
       2. The extension table of  claim 1 , wherein the extension table comprises a rail being transverse in relation to the extension direction, said rail being connected to two adjacent table legs both supporting the same slidable table top. 
     
     
       3. The extension table of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a mounting and the fastener portion of the fastener comprises at least two oval bores in each mounting, the oval bores extending relative to a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis of the oval bores being axis-parallel with the extension direction of the extension table, and in said bores, the couplers co-operate with the bores for fastening of the fastener in a certain position, the couplers being selected from the group consisting of screws, bolts, pins, threaded rods and nuts. 
     
     
       4. The extension table of  claim 2 , wherein the rail is fastened to the sliding table top through a separate fastener and the fastener portion of the fastener comprises at least two oval bores in each mounting extending relative to a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis of the oval bores being axis-parallel with the extension direction of the extension table, and in said bores, the couplers co-operate with the bores for fastening of the fastener in a certain position, the couplers being selected from the group consisting of screws, bolts, pins, threaded rods and nuts. 
     
     
       5. The extension table of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises at least one mounting comprising a first sheet part and a second sheet part protruding essentially perpendicularly from said first sheet part, said first sheet part being arranged to be directly or indirectly connected to one of the first table legs and said second sheet part comprising one of the fastener portions and being arranged to be connected with the slidable table top through one of the couplers. 
     
     
       6. The extension table of  claim 2 , wherein the fastener comprises at least one mounting comprising a first sheet part, a second sheet part protruding essentially perpendicularly from said first sheet part, said first sheet part being arranged to be connected with the rail, and said second sheet part comprising one of the fastener portions and being arranged to be connected with the slidable table top through one of the couplers. 
     
     
       7. The extension table of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises at least one mounting comprising a first sheet part and a second sheet part protruding essentially perpendicularly from said first sheet part, said first sheet part being arranged to be connected with the first table legs and said second sheet part comprising one of the fastener portions and being arranged to be connected with the slidable table top through one of the couplers. 
     
     
       8. The extension table of  claim 2 , wherein the fastener comprises at least two mountings connected to one of the rail or at least one of the first table legs. 
     
     
       9. The extension table of  claim 1 , wherein each one of the fastener portions comprises a sliding means, the sliding means comprising at least two oval bores extending relative to a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis of the bores being parallel with the extension direction of the extension table, and in said bores, the couplers being selected from the group consisting of screws, bolts, pins, threaded rods and nuts which co-operate with the bores for fastening of the fasteners in desired positions. 
     
     
       10. The extension table of  claim 9 , wherein the bores extend in a longitudinal direction, the bores being at least twice in diameter of one of the couplers, said coupler having essentially a circular cross section. 
     
     
       11. The extension table of  claim 1 , wherein the slidable table tops are each supported by at least two of the supporting members when the extension table is in the first stationary position, wherein each one of the supporting members comprises one of the first legs. 
     
     
       12. The extension table of  claim 1 , which comprises a plurality of outer leg structures, each one of the outer leg structures comprising: (a) a set of the first legs; and (b) a rail that connects the first legs together, wherein, when the extension table is in the second stationary position: (i) the outer leg structures are configured to be moved relative to each other due to adjustment of the fasteners; and (ii) each one of the outer leg structures is configured to be moved relative to one of the slidable table tops due to adjustment of the fasteners. 
     
     
       13. The extension table of  claim 1 , wherein the extension table is completely or partially made of a material selected from the group consisting of wood or a wood-containing material. 
     
     
       14. The extension table of  claim 1 , wherein each one of the first table legs comprises a contact face, the contact face configured to abuts a surface of one of the second table legs in the first stationary position of the slidable table tops, wherein the contact face and said surface of the second table leg are congruent. 
     
     
       15. The extension table of  claim 14 , wherein both the contact face of the first table leg, which contact face abuts the surface of the second table leg in the first position, and said surface of the second table leg extend in a plane. 
     
     
       16. An extension table comprising:
 a plurality of table tops configured to slide back and forth relative to each other; 
 at least one leaf configured to be positioned between the table tops; 
 
       a plurality of leg sets, each one of the leg sets comprising a plurality of legs, the leg sets configured to:
 (a) support the table tops when the table tops are pushed together in a first position of the extension table; and 
 (b) support the table tops when the table tops are fully pulled apart in a second position of the extension table; 
 a first fastener comprising a first table engagement part, the first table engagement part defining a first range of table coupling positions, the first fastener configured to couple a first one of the leg sets to a first one of the table tops, wherein, when the extension table is in the second position, the table coupling positions of the first range are adjustable to enable movement between the first leg set and the first table top so as to reduce a force acting between the first table top and the at least one leaf; and 
 a second fastener comprising a second table engagement part, the second table engagement part defining a second range of table coupling positions, the second fastener configured to couple a second one of the leg sets to a second one of the table tops, wherein, when the extension table is in the second position, the table coupling positions of the second range are adjustable to enable movement between the second leg set and the second table top so as to reduce a force acting between the second table top and the at least one leaf. 
 
     
     
       17. The extension table of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second table tops are stationary when the extension table is in the second position, each of the first and second table engagement parts defining at least one slot configured to receive a coupler. 
     
     
       18. The extension table of  claim 17 , wherein: (a) the extension table extends along a longitudinal axis; and (b) when the extension table is in the second position, the first and second leg sets are configured to be adjustably positioned relative to each other along the longitudinal axis due to the first and second ranges of table coupling positions. 
     
     
       19. An extension table comprising:
 a first leg set; 
 a second leg set; 
 a frame supported by the first and second leg sets; 
 first and second table tops supported by the frame, the first and second table tops configured to be slid back and forth relative to each other along an extension axis between: (a) a first stationary position in which the first and second table tops are pushed together when supported by the frame; and (b) a second stationary position in which the first and second table tops are fully pulled apart to define an opening when supported by the frame; 
 at least one leaf configured to be positioned in the opening and supported by the frame when the first and second table tops are in the second stationary position, wherein the first and second table tops and the at least one leaf are subject to forces due to expansion caused by a change in an environmental condition, the forces including: (a) a first force acting between the first table top and the at least one leaf; and (b) a second force acting between the second table top and the at least one leaf; 
 a first fastener comprising a first table mount, the first table mount defining variable securing points for a first coupler, the first fastener configured to mount the first leg set to the first table top, wherein, when the first and second table tops are in the second position, the variable securing points of the first table mount are adjustable to enable movement between the first leg set and the first table top along the extension axis so as to reduce the first force acting on the first table top; and 
 a second fastener comprising a second table mount, the second table mount defining variable securing points for a second coupler, the second fastener configured to mount the second leg set to the second table top, wherein, when the first and second table tops are in the second position, the variable securing points of the second table mount are adjustable to enable movement between the second leg set and the second table top along the extension axis so as to reduce the second force acting on the second table top. 
 
     
     
       20. The extension table of  claim 19 , wherein: (a) the first and second table tops are stationary when in the second position, each of the first and second table mounts defining at least one opening configured to receive one of the couplers; and (b) when the first and second table tops are in the second position, the first and second leg sets are configured to be adjustably slid relative to each other along the extension axis due to the variable securing points of the first and second fasteners.